The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Eos Energy Enterprises a loan of nearly $400 million two years ago to dramatically expand production of high-tech batteries—and create hundreds of jobs—at a plant in Turtle Creek, Pa.
This incredible opportunity did not come about by chance.
Rather, the Legislative and Policy Department (LAPD) worked with Congress to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the historic law that allocated billions for renewable energy projects nationwide.
Then, the LAPD worked with the Biden administration not only to deliver some of those funds to Eos but to ensure the company’s expansion increased the number of union jobs and otherwise benefited USW-represented workers there.
This is just one example of how the LAPD, based in Washington, D.C., gives workers a voice in the world’s largest economy.
We fight for laws and rules supporting our families, our union and our country, partnering with Congress, the White House, Cabinet members and dozens of agencies to secure results.
Both political parties respect our thoughtful, strategic efforts to create good, safe jobs, enforce our collective bargaining agreements, enhance retirement security and advance fair trade.
Since the last convention, our deep engagement with Congress and the executive branch led to significant legislative and policy achievements benefiting hundreds of thousands of USW members.
And we stand ready to defend these wins against any efforts to roll them back at workers’ expense.
We fight for laws and rules supporting our families, our union and our country.
Building Worker-Centered Industrial Policy
The USW long pushed the nation’s leaders to implement a worker-centered industrial policy to grow the manufacturing base, create jobs and strengthen the communities where union members live.
We made giant strides over the past four years, with President Joe Biden and pro-worker members of Congress enacting the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.
Much of the manufacturing policy embodied in these laws—such as the Build America, Buy America provisions benefiting union workers—resulted from the LAPD’s advocacy and our collaboration with allies like the Alliance for American Manufacturing and the BlueGreen Alliance.
These laws unleashed demand for USW-made products and set the stage for long-term prosperity.
Among other boosts to USW-represented workplaces, for example, the infrastructure law expanded hiring and production at Travis Pattern and Foundry in Spokane, Wash., and delivered new pipeline projects to Paris Contracting in Atlasburg, Pa.
In addition to Eos, LAPD helped to allocate billions in Inflation Reduction Act funds to Constellium in Ravenswood, W.Va.; Heidelberg Materials in Mitchell, Ind; Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio; O-I Glass plants in California and Virginia; and U.S. Pipe in Bessemer, Ala. These companies, all employing USW members, were awarded resources to upgrade equipment, increase operations or create jobs.
The CHIPS law allocated $50 million for an expansion at another USW employer, Niacet, which makes a compound for the semiconductor industry at a plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Investments like this are more essential than ever. The U.S. developed the semiconductor industry, then let manufacturing slip to low levels that hindered national security and left us without the supplies of chips needed to produce cars, electronics and other goods.
Standing Watch on Trade
As the nation grows industrial capacity and jobs, it’s just as important to make sure American workers compete on a level playing field with counterparts in other countries.
The USW vigilantly monitors international trade. We file complaints with the U.S. Commerce Department and International Trade Commission when foreign competitors violate trade rules, such as when they dump goods here at below-market prices or try to route illegal imports through sham companies in third countries to avoid detection.
Over the past few years, the LAPD has won duties against unfairly traded aluminum extrusions, corrosion-resistant flat-rolled steel, tires and freight couplers, among other products, safeguarding our economy and union members’ livelihoods.
In 2024, we launched another major trade case, aimed at rebuilding our domestic shipbuilding industry and ending China’s stranglehold on global transportation and logistics networks.
China’s predatory policies, including massive subsidies for its own shipbuilding industry, killed competition from the United States and other countries. America lost dozens of shipyards and tens of thousands of jobs since the 1980s, leaving us dangerously dependent on an adversary that can cut off access to ships it builds at any time.
At the USW’s request, the U.S. trade representative began an investigation into the crisis last May. The findings, released in January 2025, confirmed the USW’s concerns and have the potential to catalyze American shipbuilding supply chains.
Driving Fairness and Safety
Delegates to the 2022 convention adopted a resolution requiring all local unions to establish Vets of Steel chapters.
This led us to seek other ways to support workers with military backgrounds.
When we learned that many require help identifying and accessing veterans’ services, we crafted a bill to boost outreach efforts across the country. We also arranged for some of our activists, veterans themselves, to speak to members of Congress about the legislation’s importance.
The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act—incorporated into another bill, the Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act—cleared Congress on a bipartisan basis last year. Biden quickly signed it into law. It earmarks millions for counties to hire veteran service officers, publicize the services available and connect veterans with the benefits they earned.
The USW also joined the rest of the labor movement last year to push through the Social Security Fairness Act, which restored benefits that Congress unfairly stripped from public-sector workers about 40 years ago.
USW members working on road crews, for government utilities and in other public roles will now receive all of the Social Security benefits they earned, just like workers in the private sector do.
In addition to these legislative efforts, the LAPD worked with other USW departments to achieve key regulatory victories since the last convention.
After decades of ignoring the hazard, the Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of asbestos in building materials, auto components and other products.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration finalized a rule better protecting miners from silica dust. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a rule giving workers greater representation during safety inspections.
And the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services established safe staffing levels for nursing homes, safeguarding the USW members working in the facilities as well as the sick and elderly people they serve.
Bringing Heat During Labor Disputes
During labor disputes, it’s essential to leverage support from all possible sources.
In times like these, the LAPD secures assistance from government leaders with the power to amplify workers’ voices and goad employers into responsible behavior.
Last year, for example, newly organized workers at the Blue Bird electric bus company in Fort Valley, Ga., were attempting to negotiate their first contract at the same time the company jockeyed for tens of millions in infrastructure law funds.
We stepped in to educate key elected representatives, along with policymakers at the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Labor, about the role that empowered workers play in maximizing these kinds of investments. This put pressure on the company to negotiate a fair agreement affording workers good wages and a seat at the table.
We also organized lobby days and helped to provide testimony for a high-profile hearing, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, after 1,700 nurses launched an unfair labor practice strike against Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey two years ago.
The resilience of Local 4-200 members, combined with attention from lawmakers like Sanders, then chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, led to a strong agreement with the safe staffing ratios the nurses demanded.
Forging Change in the States
When change at the federal level comes too slowly, workers often seek just treatment at the state level instead.
It is critical, therefore, to advocate for our members and build relationships at all levels of government.
In recent years, the LAPD worked with the National Oil Bargaining Program to leverage assistance for displaced oil workers in California and to drive much-needed updates to Process Safety Management in the State of Washington’s oil industry.
In addition, we collaborated with districts and the Rapid Response Department to beat back anti-worker “right-to-work” bills in various states and celebrated Michigan’s repeal of this odious legislation in 2023.
We also partnered with USW districts and the Rapid Response and Vets of Steel departments to push through laws in a dozen states requiring employers to post workplace notices about the services available to veterans of the armed forces.
Standing Strong for Workers
The new presidential administration and Congress changed the dynamic in Washington, creating new hurdles and opportunities.
The LAPD will continue fighting for long-sought goals. This includes renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers who lose jobs because of unfair trade and the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would make it easier for workers to form unions.
At the same time, we will respond to new challenges in an evolving economy. The power of our advocacy comes from the USW membership and the USW’s commitment to help workers build better lives.